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One of his representatives said yesterday that Gerontas (means old man, literally) Athanasios, is spiritual whilst Nikiphoros (his main rival) is secular. Last night, Nikiphoros dismissed the term "secular" and it left me with a bitter tast. I thought being secular is a good thing but it appears that our clerics are only too quick to shed such an image. Homeini is not alone! On the other hand, I fail to understand the spiritual aspect of the clerics.

First of all, it is important to clarify a few concepts. The word “Pneumatikos” that is being used in Greek to describe the one or the other of the bishops, or people in general, is wrongly translated as “spiritual” in English. They do not mean the same. “Pneumatikos” in this context means “cerebral” or “inspired” or “enlightened” or “intellectual” or “educated.” Only metaphorically it can be described or translated as “spiritual.”

The opposite of “Pneumatikos” is not “Kosmikos” (secular) but instead it is “akalliergitos” (uncultured) or “amorfotos” (uneducated.) Any one and all of them can be described as “kosmikos” (secular,) to the extent that they come down to meet the everyday problems of the society or the people and they try to help in giving meaningful solutions to them.

In this sense, then yes, based on what the 4 candidate bishops have shown so far in their public appearances, Limassol Athanasios is definitely the most cultured, educated and inspired of all, Kykkou Nikiforos seems to be the most generous and populist or laicist, Pafou Chrysanthos seems to be the most practical and resourceful, and Kitiou Chrysanthos the most cosmopolitan and most diplomatic.

Last edited by Kifeas on Wed Sep 20, 2006 8:54 am, edited 2 times in total.

You will understand spirituality or the better word in Greek “pnevmatikotita” if you have experience with god. This experience can be obtained by any person thought the participation to the various activities of our church witch include confession prayer and holly communion. Spirituality makes you love god and also people. This means that you abandon your selfishness and try to make only the willingness of god and not your own.

Evdokimos wrote:You will understand spirituality or the better word in Greek “pnevmatikotita” if you have experience with god. This experience can be obtained by any person thought the participation to the various activities of our church witch include confession prayer and holly communion. Spirituality makes you love god and also people. This means that you abandon your selfishness and try to make only the willingness of god and not your own.

And you mean that in this sense, Athanasios is a "pneumatikos" that has "experienced" god and thus he has completely “abandoned” selfishness? No my friend, I do not buy this metaphysical dimension that you are trying to build around Athanasios. The fact that he is running a campaign to convince people and become elected as Archbishop proves the opposite. You cannot pursue such an ambition, without the slightest element of selfishness and ego!

You cannot dismiss the "selfish gene" after all. Even when one is prepared for the ultimate sacrifise, the kingdom of heaven appears like a tantalising proposition. Yet, what do genes know care spirituality?